Cheap toddler friendly pasta lunch

You know its funny, when I went home after my first visit to Germany, I used to eat abend brot to remind myself of my time in Germany. However, 4 years after moving here and seeing how prevalent bread is in the German diet I might gouge my eyes out if forced to eat much more bread in my life. Now do not get me wrong, I am making an effort to come up with some creative variation, aim for more of an American style sandwich. I have been stalking the interwebs looking for dup recipes for Paradise bakery, nomnomnom, but we need som variety. If Germans may have no qualms eating bread so often, but I sure cannot. But at the same time I do not want to invest the time nor money to cook a second hot meal eat day, lazy American that I am. SO I look for frugal idea, and idseas that my picky little mr enjoys, today was a sucess.

Aldi sells some finished pasta products, one version is in boxes and another comes in pouches. For this recipe I used the pouch version the Pasta Pomodoro Mozzarella. It comes with the noodles and seasoning mixed in in a powder form. Just add water and cook 10 minutes. They also have a variety of other flavors. The package says it serves 2.

Once I boil my water and add my pasta mix, I add an additional half can of diced tomatoes, and 1 cup of frozen veggies mix  DO NOT USE BUTTERGEMÜSE NEINNEINNEIN thats bad get the plain stuff in bags lol.

The pasta mix costs .65
Half can of tomatoes .22
1 cup veggies aprox. .10

Full meal for under a buck

This could easily be made into a dinner by doubling it and adding a green salad and baugette. You still have a dinner for under 2.50 including sides.

The bags are packed...

This is an old post that never got published. I just found it going through my unpublished posts. This was written in late November when I was 8 months pregnant.

Alrighty. I have some long overdue and promised pregnancy posts that I want to get out before I switch into mommy mode and am thoroughly distracted from this theme, so here we go.

So today I want to talk about packing your bags for your hospital stay. Obviously this varies greatly especially considering I am overseas, but hopefully this will be of some help to some first time mommy's in Germany.

International postage rates lowered

I do not know about you but for me this is super exciting, the deutsche post has lowered international brief postage.

Schlecker Baby Club Begrüssungspaket

Next one arrived today from Schlecker's Baby club  and this one was pretty cool too. Have I mentioned that surprises, things in the mail and freebies are a few of my favorite things?

This set had:
* A sample of NUK Spül Reiniger (bottle and nipple wash)
* A pouch of Tetesept Entsoannungs Bad (therapy bath)
* A sample 50 ml bottle of Bübchen kinder shampoo
* A full sized Shogetten Vollmich-Schokolade (Candy bar)
* A copy of Leben and Erziehen magazine (living & parenting) with a special offer supscribe to the magazine for 23.88 and get a free 20 euro schlecker gift card, so in the end 43,88 in value for 23,88.
* A pair of socks from Pampers
* A mullwindel (German gauze diaper)
* A packet of Hipp Feucht- Tücher (babywipes)
* A small ,25l Frucht Tiger apfel-erbeer juice
* A 3 euro gift card
* A 40 ml sample bottle of Penaten Intensiv Lotion
* A schlecker baby product catalog
* An advert for some random baby items clothing
* A coupon book valued at 31 euro in savings

The coupon book had the following coupons:
* 10€ off 22,95 fr an a4 hardcover photobook
* ,50€ off Babay smile Nature Gesichts- & Pflegecreme 75ml (Face and body cream)
* ,50€ off Babysmile Sensitive Panthenol Hautschutzcreme 100ml (skin protection cream)
* ,50€ off Babysmile Kopf bis Fuß Waschgel 500ml (head to toe baby wash)
* ,50€ off MAM My first Silikon pacifier
* ,50€ off Erstes Zähnchen Baby Zahnpasta (baby toothpaste)
* ,50€ off Nenedent Kinderzahncreme 50ml (Childrens toothpaste)
* ,50€ off HIPP Babysanft Washgel Haut & Haar 400ml (Hair and body wash for babies)
* ,50€ off HIPP Babysanft Intensivcreme Wnd & Wetter 50ml (wind and weather cream)
* 1,00€ off Bübchen Baby Bad 1000ml (Babybath)
* 1,00€ off Bübchen Creme Pflegebad 400 ml (creamy bath)
* 1,00€ off Bübchen Baby shampoo 400 ml
* ,80€ off Bübchen Calendula Gesichtspfelege 75 ml (face cream)
* ,80€ off Bübchen Wind & Wettercreme 75 ml (wind & weather cream)
* ,50€ off Penaten Stilleinlagen 30er (nursing pads)
* 1,00€ off Penaten Bad & Shampoo Kopf bis Fuß 400ml (head to toe baby wash)
* ,75€ off Penaten Pflegecreme Gesicht & Körper 100 ml (face and body cream)
* ,50€ off Penaten creme 50 ml
* ,75€ off Penaten Shampoo Gländes Haar 250 ml
* 1,00€ off Penaten Plege Öl 200 ml (Baby oil)
* ,75€ off Penaten Lotion Tücher 4er Vorteilspack (lotion wipes)
* ,75€ off Penaten Sensitiv-Tücher 4er Vorteilspack (sensitive wipes)
* ,50€ off NUK Kühlbeißring-set (cooling teething set)
* ,50€ off NUK First Choice Flaschensauger Latex Verschiedene Größen (nipples Latex)
* ,50€ off NUK First Choice Flaschensauger Silikon verschiedene Größen (nipples silicon)
* ,50€ off NUK Genius Beruhigungssauger Silikon verschiedene Größen (pacifier silicon)
* 1,00€ off NUK Junior Cup mit Push-Pull-Tülle
* ,50€ off HIPP Bio-Milchbrei Kindergrieß 500 g (Organic childrens oatmeal)
* ,30€ off HIPP Gemüse 190g verschiedene Sorten (baby veggies)
* ,50€ off HIPP Tee 400g verschiedene Sorten (Tea)
* 1,00€ off Humana Folgenmilch 3 500g vershiedene Sorten (Forumla)
* 1,00€ off Humana Schlummermilch 500g (Forumla)
* ,40€ off Humana Brei ohne Milch 250 g verschiedene Sorten (Dairy free oatmeal)
* ,40€ off Humana Milchbrei 350g verschiedene Sorten (Oatmeal)
* ,40€ off Humana Schlummerbrei 250g vershiedene Sorten (some variation of oatmeal)
* 1,50€ off Humana HA 2 500g (Forumla)
* 1,50€ off Humana HA 3 500g (Forumla)
* 2,00€ off Humana Folgenmilch 2 100g Sparpack (Forumla)
* ,20€ off Humana Babywasser 1,5L  (water)
* ,50€ off Edelweiss Milchtucker 500g (milk sugar)
* ,30€ off Kölln Schmelzflocken 250g (oatmeal of some sorts)
* ,50€ off Alete Greisbrei Vanille oder keks 4x 100g
* ,50€ off Alete Mahlzeit zum Trinken 2x 200ml verschiedene Sorten

All good through 12/31/2011

Babysmile is the Schlecker house brand offering a variety of baby products and diapers. Check out their prices on my diaper price comparison, and coming soon my baby care products price comparison.

The baby club is free and you can sign up on their website here

Check out other freebies for expecting and new parents here

DM Schwangerschafts Paket

Dm is now offering a pregnancy club in addition to the baby club. You can sign up during your pregnancy for freebies. At the time of sign up, after confirming your account, you are given a coupon to take into the store to pick up a gift box.

I just got mine and it included:
* A full sized house brand pregnancy massage cream (Babylove Mama Massagecreme)
* 5 Euro gift certificate (no minimum purchase)
* A welcome letter
* A info brochure with pregnancy tips and product suggestions
* A coupon book valued at over 15 euro

My coupon book included:
* ,60€ off 2,95 Babylove Mama Massagecreme (massage cream)
* 2,00€ off 9,95 Weleda Damm-Massageöl (Perineum massage oil)
* 1,00€ off 4,75 Bübchen Massageöl für Schwangere (massage oil for pregnant women)
* 4,00€ off 19,95 Hipp natal Nahrungsergänzung (Prenatal dietary supplement system)
* ,60€ off 2,95 Abtei Calcium *d3 Lutschtabletten Nahrungsergänzungsmitttel (Calcium and d3 suppliment)
* ,70€ off 3,25 Taxofit Vitamin B-Komplex Nahrungsergänzungsmittel (Vitamin B supplement)
* 1,00€ off 4,45 Dopelherz aktiv Vitalstoff für Schwangere + Mütter Nahrungsergängzungsmittel (Vitamin supplement for pregnancy and motherhood)
* ,80€ off 3,95 Paradontax toothpaste
* ,60€ off 2,95 Nivea Natural oil shower gel
* ,50€ off 1,55 Dove visiblecare shower cream
* 1,00€ off 4,95 Mein Öl
* 1,00€ Guhl Prachtvoll Lang oder KOpfhaut Sensitiv Shampoo
* 1,00€ off 4,95 L'Oreal Paris Dermo-expertise hydra active 3 skin care series
* ,70€ off 3,45 Spee sensitive laundry soap
* ,40€ off 1,85 Lenor sensitiv fabric softener
* 10% off kodak 20x 30 cm Poster

all valid through 31.3.2012

Overall I thought this was a pretty cool set, it was one of the ones I was most excited about due to the 5 dollar gift certificate. Thats almost a full pack of house brand diapers.

I am excited to see what they offer in the baby welcome packet.

Check out more freebies for expecting and new parents here

Disposable diapers in Germany

This is a cost comparison of the various disposable diapers in Germany. Keep in mind this is reflective of the area in which I reside and while the majority of companies have universal prices there is no guarantee that is the store price near you. Also it is obviously not all inclusive, these are the stores in my area that I have access to, but hopefully will help show the various options out there.

If you would like to collect the info for another store or brand not shown here, I am happy to add it shoot me an email with the Name, size name, kilo range, quantity per pack, and package price, as well as the store where those prices were collected :)

These are all standard non sale prices. For simplicities sake I rounded to the nearest cent, so some bigger packs may be fractions of cents cheaper, that will not be reflected only whole cents :)

 -Name Brand Diapers-

Pampers:

Prices noted from Rossmann and windel.de, prices are examples may fluctuate per store.

New Baby-
Micro      Preemie        1.5- 3kg  24 pack      6,98€      ,29 per diaper
Size 1      Newborn      2-5kg      27 pack      5,29€      ,20 per diaper
Size 2      Mini             3-6kg      48 pack      8.95€      ,19 per diaper

Baby Dry-
Size 2      Mini             3-6kg      58 pack      8.95€      ,15 per diaper                                             
Size 3      Midi             4-9kg      48 pack      8,95€      ,19 per diaper
                                                    104 pack    17,98€    ,17 per diaper
                                                    144 pack    24,18€    ,17 per diaper
                                                    192 pack    30.98€    ,16 per diaper
Size 4      Maxi             7-18kg    40 pack      8,95€      ,22 per diaper
                                                     88 pack      17.98€    ,20 per diaper
                                                     120 pack    24,18€    ,20 per diaper
                                                     160 pack    30.98€    ,19 per diaper
Size 4+    Maxi Plus     9-20kg    36 pack      8,95€      ,25 per diaper
                                                     80 pack      17,79€    ,22 per diaper
                                                     108 pack     24,18€   ,22 per diaper
Size 5      Junior           11-25kg    33 pack     8,95€      ,27 per diaper
                                                      74 pack     17,98€    ,24 per diaper
                                                      99 pack     24,18€    ,24 per diaper
                                                      132 pack   30,98€    ,23 per diaper                                       
Size 5+    Junior +        13-27kg    30 pack     8.95€     ,30 per diaper
                                                       68 pack     17.98€   ,26 per diaper
Size 6      XL                 7-18kg     27 pack     8,95€      ,33 per diaper

Stay Dry-
Size 4+    Maxi Plus     9-20kg     37 pack     6,99€      ,19 per diaper

Active Fit-
Size 3      Midi              4-9kg      42 pack      8,95€      ,21 per diaper
                                                     84 pack      17,98€    ,21per diaper
                                                     126 pack    25,78€    ,20 per diaper
                                                     168 pack    32,97€    ,20 per diaper
Size 4      Maxi             7-18kg     34 pack     8,95€      ,26 per diaper
                                                      68 pack    17.79 €    ,26 per diaper
                                                      102 pack   25,78€    ,25 per diaper
                                                      136 pack   32,98 €   ,24 per diaper
Size 4+    Maxi Plus     9-20kg     33 pack     8,95€      ,27 per diaper
                                                      66 pack     17,98€    ,27 per diaper
                                                      99 pack     25,78€    ,26 per diaper
Size 5      Junior           11-25kg    31 pack     8,95€      ,29 per diaper
                                                      62 pack     17.98€    ,29 per diaper
                                                      93 pack     25,78€    ,28 per diaper
                                                      124 pack   32,98€    ,27 per diaper
Size 5+    Junior +        13-27kg    58 pack     17.98€     ,31 per diaper
                                                       87 pack     25,78€     ,30 per diaper

Simple Dry-
Size 3      Midi              4-9kg      48 pack      6,98€      ,15 per diaper
                                                     96 pack      13,68€     ,14 per diaper
Size 4      Maxi            7-18kg     40 pack       6,99€     ,17 per diaper
                                                     80 pack      13,68€    ,17 per diaper
Size 4+    Maxi Plus     9-20kg    37 pack        6,98€     ,19 per diaper
                                                     74 pack        13,68€   ,18 per diaper
Size 5      Junior          11-25kg    34 pack       6,99€      ,21 per diaper
                                                     68 pack       13,68€    ,20 per diaper
Size 6      XL               16-30kg   18 pack       4,95€      ,83 per diaper

Easy up (pull ups)-
Size 4      Maxi            7-18kg     30 pack        8,88€      ,30 per diaper
                                                     60 pack        17,58€    ,29 per diaper
                                                     90 pack        25,58€    ,28 per diaper
Size 5      Junior          12-18kg      28 pack      8,95€      ,32 per diaper
                                                       56 pack      17,58€     ,31 per diaper
                                                       84 pack      25,58€     ,30 per diaper
Size 6      XL               16+kg         26 pack      8,95€      ,34 per diaper

Underjams night pull ups (schlafhöschen)-
Girls:
Size Sm/Md           17-29kg / 4-8 years   10 pack      8,95€     ,86 per diaper
Size L                     26-39kg                     9 pack        8.88€     ,99 per diaper

Boys:
Size Sm/Md      17-29kg / 4-8 years      10 pack      8,88€     ,89 per diaper
Size L                26-39kg                        9 pack        8,88€     ,99 per diaper

Huggies:
Dry nights (pull ups)-
Girls:
4-7 Years                       10 pack          8,48€          ,85 per diaper
8-15 Years                      9 pack           8,48€          ,94 per diaper

Boys:
4-7 Years                       10 pack          8,48€          ,85 per diaper
8-15 Years                      9 pack           8,48€          ,94 per diaper

Little swimmers (swim diapers)-
Size XS          3-6 kg          13 pack          8,48€          ,65 per diaper
Size S             7-12kg         12 pack          8,48€          ,71 per diaper
Size M           11-15kg        11 pack          8,48€          ,77 per diaper
Size L            14 + kg         10 pack          8,48€          ,85 per diaper

Fixies:
Classic-

Size 1      Newborn      2-5kg      30 pack      4,98€      ,17 per diaper
Size 2      Mini             3-6kg      28 pack      4,98€      ,18 per diaper                                             
Size 3      Midi             4-9kg      24 pack      4,98€      ,21 per diaper                                                  
Size 4      Maxi             7-18kg    22 pack      4,98€      ,23 per diaper                                             
Size 4+    Maxi Plus     9-20kg    20 pack      4,98€      ,25 per diaper                                            
Size 5      Junior           11-25kg   18 pack      4,98€      ,28 per diaper
                                                      40 pack     8,98€      ,22 per diaper                                   
Size 5+    Junior +        13-27kg    34 pack     8.98€     ,26 per diaper

Pants (pull ups)-
Size 4      Maxi            9-20kg     30 pack        8,98€      ,30 per diaper                                               
Size 5      Junior          11-25kg    28 pack        8,98€      ,32 per diaper                                                  
Size 6      XL               16+kg       26 pack        8,98€      ,35 per diaper
      

-Environmentally Friendly Diapers-

Moltex:
Öko Höschenwindel (ecologically friendly diapers)-
Size 2      Mini             3-6kg      46 pack      9,98€      ,22 per diaper                                             
Size 3      Midi             4-9kg      42 pack      9,98€      ,24 per diaper
                                                    84 pack      19,68€    ,23per diaper                                                
Size 4      Maxi             7-18kg   40 pack       9,98€      ,25 per diaper
                                                    80 pack       9,98€      ,24 per diaper                                                        Size 5      Junior           11-25kg  34 pack       9,98€      ,29 per diaper
                                                    68 pack       19,28€    ,28 per diaper                                   
Size 6      XL                16-30kg  28 pack       9.98€     ,36 per diaper
                                                   
Vlieswindeln (Disposable diaper inserts)        50 pack       4,98€       ,10 per insert


Wiona:
Biowindel (Organic diapers)-
Size 1      Newborn      2-4kg      20 pack      6,98€      ,35 per diaper 
Size 2      Mini             3-6kg      48 pack      14,98€    ,31 per diaper                                             
Size 3      Midi             4-9kg      48 pack      15,98€    ,33 per diaper                                                  
Size 4      Maxi             7-16kg    44 pack      16,98€    ,37 per diaper                                             
Size 5      Junior           12-25kg   40 pack      16,98€    ,42 per diaper
                                      

 -House Brand Diapers-

Rossmann- Baby Dream:

Standard diapers (windel)-
Size 1      Newborn      2-5kg      28 pack      4.59€      ,16 per diaper
Size 2      Mini             3-6kg      42 pack      4.99€      ,12 per diaper
Size 3      Midi             4-9kg      46 pack      5,49€      ,12 per diaper
                                                    92 pack     10,75€     ,12 per diaper
Size 4      Maxi            7-18kg     40 pack     5,49€      ,14 per diaper
                                                     80 pack    10,75€     ,13 per diaper
                                                     120 pack   14,99€    ,12 per diaper
Size 4+    Maxi Plus    9-20kg     36 pack     5.49€      ,15 per diaper
                                                     72 pack    10,75€     ,15 per diaper
Size 5      Junior          12-25kg    34 pack     5,49€      ,16 per diaper
                                                     68 pack     10,75€    ,16 per diaper
                                                     102 pack   14,99€    ,15 per diaper
Size 5+    Junior +       13-27kg    33 pack     5,49€     ,17 per diaper
Size 6      XL               16-30kg    32 pack      5,49€     ,17 per diaper
                                                     
Swimming diaper (Schwimmwinde)- 
Size S      4-9kg        12 pack     3.99€     ,33 per diaper
Size M     7-13kg      11 pack     3.99€     ,36 per diaper
Size L      12-20 kg    10 pack    3.99€     ,40 per diaper

Öko Premium windeln (ecological friendly)-
Size 3      Midi             4-9kg         48 pack     7,49€      ,16 per diaper
Size 4      Maxi            7-18kg        44 pack     7,49€      ,17 per diaper

Pull ups (windelslips)-
Size 4      Maxi            7-15kg        22 pack     4,95€      ,23 per diaper
Size 5      Junior          12-22kg      20 pack      4,95€      ,25 per diaper
Size 6      XL               16-30kg      18 pack      4,95€      ,27 per diaper

Misc diaper related products:
Disposable changing pads (wickelunterlage)       10 pack      3,49€       ,35 per pad

look up insert info (adding in the morning)

Real:
Tip- (Am I a house brand, only seen at real???)
Size 3      Midi             4-10kg    40  pack     4,99€       ,12 per diaper
Size 4      Maxi             9-15kg    40 pack      4,99€      ,12 per diaper  
Size 5      Junior          13-18kg    34 pack      4,99€     ,15 per diaper   


Real Quality Active dry fit-   
Size 1      Newborn      2-5kg      68 pack      7,99€      ,12 per diaper
Size 2      Mini             3-6kg      62 pack      7,99€      ,13 per diaper                                            
Size 3      Midi             4-10kg    58 pack      7,99€      ,14 per diaper      
Size 4      Maxi             9-15kg    50 pack      7,99€     ,16 per diaper 
Size 5      Junior          13-18kg    44 pack      7,99€     ,18 per diaper

Edeka:
Elkos-
Size 4      Maxi            7-18kg        50 pack     6,99€      ,14 per diaper
Size 5      Junior          11-25kg       44 pack     6,99€      ,16 per diaper

Misc: 
Unterlage          10 pack          3,45          ,35 per pad


Lidl:
Toujours-
Size 3      Midi             4-9kg       56 pack      6,49€     ,12 per diaper      
Size 4      Maxi             7-18kg    50 pack      6,99€     ,14 per diaper 
Size 5      Junior          11-25kg    44 pack      6,99€     ,16 per diaper

Schlecker- Baby Smile :
Original-
Size 2      Mini             3-6kg      52 pack      6,79€      ,13 per diaper                                             
Size 3      Midi             4-9kg      46 pack      6,79€      ,15 per diaper
                                                    92 pack      12,99€    ,14 per diaper      
Size 4      Maxi             7-18kg    42 pack      6,79€     ,16per diaper 
                                                     84 pack     12.99€    ,15 per diaper
Size 4+    Maxi Plus    9-20kg     38 pack      6,79€     ,18 per diaper 
Size 5      Junior          12-25kg    34 pack      6,79€     ,20 per diaper 
                                                     68 pack      12,99€   ,19 per diaper
Size 6      XL               16-30kg    30 pack      6,79€     ,23 per diaper

Pants-
Size 4      Maxi             8-15kg    20 pack      6,79€     ,34 per diaper
Size 6      XL               16-30kg   18 pack      6,79€     ,38 per diaper

Misc:
Unterlage by AS          50 pack          2,79€          ,28 per pad

-Online Resources-

Buying diapers:
Rossmann Versand (online shop carrying the baby dream line and name brands)
Real Online Shop (Carries tip, real quality, and name brands)
Schlecker Online (carries baby smile and name brands)
Windeln.de (name brands)
Amazon Germany (Name brand diapers)
Ebay Germany (Many people and shops sell factory sealed diapers as well a B quality, but I suggest you always buy sealed)

Additional resources:
Sparbaby (Frugal baby blog has a weekly diaper sale comparison)

Make sure you check out my freebies for pregnant and new moms post to sign up for a variety of freebies including loads of diaper coupons even for house brands

And a random tip. I have been told by many people that often times hospitals and midwives will sell discounted diapers, never hurts to ask.


Do you know of any links that belong here? Shoot me an email or leave a comment I would love to add them.



Check back I hope to check out the following stores to see if they carry house brands and how they stack up.... Netto, rewe, aldi, kaufland/handelshof, DM.

A few stores I do not have near me so if anyone want to collect the info I am happy to add them such as Mueller and Pennymarkt or if you know any other house or name brands please do let me know.

And feel free to let me know any inaccuracies or missing sizes :D

Also coming soon.....
House brand baby care products
..... so check back

So what diapers work best for your family? Are you in love with any particular house brand?

Hipp welcome packet

I am going to link this to the freebies for mommas post :)

 Today I got my first freebie it was a welcome packet from Hipp Mein Baby Club

This one was actually pregnancy themed. It had a small bottle of Hipp Mama Sanft Massage-öl (Massage oil) 20ml

There is a welcome letter with a form for me to fill out once the baby arrives with his details,  from which they assemble a persönliches Begrußungspaket (welcome kit).


There is also a little card for a catalouge called Babybutt. Cute name. But I of course will have to check out their prices. Can they compare with mytoys???


Then there is a small flier that shows all of the baby products in their baby care line.


Coupons for  1 euro off a sample pack or 5 euro off a normal pack of Hipp Natal Nahrungsergänzung. That is a mouthful aint it. I think this is another type of prenatal vitamen. I may check it out I do not plan to switch now, but since I will be taking them in the Stillzeit (breastfeeding time) I may try another brand as I am paying 22 euro a month for femibion. But I have to check it out and see if it is comparable.


And last but not least was a small booklet called Schön Schwanger all about proper care during pregnancy and some cool tips like massage. It is of course based around their products, but there are many general tips as well.


I look foward to see what they send in the baby welcome packet :)


Check out my full list of freebies for moms in Germany here

Free stuff for expecting and new moms in Germay

Now before you get all grateful I have to admit this was put together by a friend of mine and is reposed with her permissions. So I will pass any gratitude her way.

Make note some places allow you to sign up while pregnant others must be done post birth :)

First up here are the baby clubs that offer a welcome packet full of freebies and coupons:

Real: A welcome box of goodies including a toy and socks as well as a coupon book as well as yearly birthday gifts

DM: A welcome packet that includes toy some sample sized toiletries and a book of coupons valued at over 200 euro. Cannot register until after the babies birth.

Update: DM is now offering a separate pregnancy club. You sign up and receive a coupon to pick up a gift box in store :) Sign up here

According to Sparbaby the welcome kit includes:  An info booklet about the DM housebrand, 150ml mamma massage cream, 5 euro gift card and a coupon book worth at least 15 euro

Rossmann: A welcome packet that includes a toy, sample sized toiletries and a book of coupons valued at over 300 euro. In addition to age appropriate advice and tips, year 1 and 2 birthday gifts, regular coupon offers by post and a magazine subscription for parents.
They do allow registration while pregnant.

Check out my pregnancy welcome kit here.

Mueller: A 5 euro voucher  and a coupon book as well as some small trinkets

Schlecker: Welcome packet, 3 euro gift certificate, coupons, and a chance to win a vacation.
They allow registration during pregnancy.

Check out my Begrüssungspaket here

You can also sign up at many of the major baby companies in order to receive a variety of samples and coupons.


Pampers: A free personalized T shirt for baby, free diapers, and 50 euros on coupons, as well as coupons sent out on a regular basis and a subscription to pampers village magazine

Hipp: A welcome packet with free baby food and various samples, a 20 euro gift certificate to start a baby savings account, over 100 euro in coupons, a membership card that gives you discounts in many family activities, exclusive contests to enter, a 50 euro HP gift card, and a personalized name sticker for your car

I got a pregnancy kit from them as well, check it out here

Alete/Nestle: A welcome packet with a variety of samples as well as over 30 euro in coupons

Milupa: Food samples and coupons

Penaten. Samples of baby care products

Bebivita: Food samples and coupons

Also when you sign up with the hebamme for the geburtsvorbereitung course you are often given a gift set (inserting a picture this afternoon)

In addition, many hospitals offer a baby packet but some do not. Some have cray cool ones others just give you some samples and call it a dy, hopefully we end up at one of the cool ones :P

Hope that helps to get you started :)

The truth about poop- Series Intro

Title sure got your attention didn't it. After many many moths of fighting to get accurate and applicable information about cloth diapering, I decided to share my info on this blog. Now as I started to write my accumulated info I realized I better break it up or I may have a book sized entry. Hehe.

So this will be a once a week series addressing various aspects of cloth diapering. I will post once every Friday. Now I cannot say how long it will run , we will just wing it. I will of course keep up with my other subject matter so have no fear you can skip these if they are of no interest for you. but I need to get back in the swing of blogging any who. I have been slacking and that makes me sad.

Feel free to email me any questions on the subject at Lostintranslation_08@yahoo.com

So lets jump right in:

Cloth diapers, you mean those pieces of cloth that people put on babies bottoms and get covered in poo? Or you mean those fancy pre-assembled ones that cost like 30 bucks a pop right? Oh those start up fees, it costs hundreds if not a thousand just to start right?

Right?

Wrong. That is where I was about 6 months ago. Cloth diapering was not for me. It meant poop and scrapping and gross stained diapers and it was hard and dirty and expensive. Well at least in my mind it was. That was until I actually took the time to really take a look at cloth and the advantages it could have for my family. But you know what that was not the final bit of info that pushed me of the fence. It was the reality that cloth diapering need not be so expensive and even me a mom with a buget and frugal lifestyle could find a way to do it.

This is not a series about why cloth diapers are better. Why people who choose not to use them are bad. Nor am I saying this is an all inclusive turorial of all cloth options. This is just my journey into cloth diapering and what worked for me, and hopefully you can gain something out of it.




I hope you will join me :)

Living room tour

Now that we have our living room furnished and it looks dramatically different I wanted to share with you. I still have a few things that need to be done such as finding some things to hang on the walls, and getting pictures printed and hung, but this will still give you an inside peak.

I took these photos on Saturday before we had guests so that is why the tables are all set.

This is the right hand side of the living room. You see Toni on his computer lol. This is our new couch we got it on sale from Beirstorffer for 299 euro, which is dirt cheap compared to the 500 and up we were seeing before hand. It is really big and comfy and the end piece on the right can be matched up to create a sofa bed. 

On the back wall is Christmas light from before we had a light, not a crack lol. You also see our coffee table, tv and tv stand, lamp, and on the very left a bookcase where we keep movies, computer games, and cds. 

The lamp, coffee table, those white half window curtains, the blue small throw pillows were all gifts from my friend Diane who moved back home and was kind enough to give us tons of stuff from her apartment. 

This is now looking the other way. You see our table, the big cupboard, and on the left a small little cupboard and a oil radiator. 

We got that radiator because our built in radiator is a peice of junk, it does not even heat the room, this works amazingly well. 

The big cupboard and small white one on the left were also gifts from Diane. The wood chairs we were give by hubbys grandma. And the table was bought second hand I believe, he got it before I came and it came with the two blue chairs. 

Oh and that is our birds on the top right side. You can also see the light from a second window on the right hand side.

Oh here is looking in from near the door. You can see the table all set. Normally just the two blue chairs are there and it is pushed up against the wall, but we had some visitors. Behind that you see the window and to the right the book case I mentioned. I also keep some of the few mementoes I brought from home there, including a picture of my grandma, grandparents, and from my parents wedding day, and my ultrasound pictures. 

Here is a better look at the cupboard. I would like to eventually shift the cupboard down and turn the bookcase so it is on that same wall, but that thing is huge and heavy so it will have to wait. 

The bookcase I was given by my friend Samantha before she moved to Hong Kong. On the very top you see an airplane that is an old toy from the ddr from my husbands childhood. The book case holds hubbys comics, magazines I get sent from home, and books i get from trading with friends or book swapping sites. 

On the big cupboard on the top left there are 4 small bookshelf like cubbies in one section I keep my homemaking binder and cooking binder, next one is my homemaking books and cookbooks, then my religious books and my books about learning german. Below that the door drops down and I use that area as a desk. Underneath is some shelf space with serving dishes and board games. 

The middle cupboard is glassware and a few nicknacks, most also given to us by Diane. That blue maountain painting is from my dad he painted it and sent it to me. It has 2 medium drawers below that are empty as of now. 

Then to the left is a section where we keep our dishes- glasses, coffee cups, plates, bowls, ect. And the birds sit on top. 

Then on the very bottom are three big drawers one with painting supplies and another with card making things and the last office supplies. 

 This is the other side by the door. You see the small cupboard. It has a drawer underneath with a punch bowl and some serving dishes. Then a cd player, and the top 3 drawers are just junk drawers at the moment. I was given then and the cd player by Diane.

To the right is the computer desk we got this on sale at aldi for around 30 euro fits great. It holds the computer and printer. That leather chair I got from my integration course teacher when she bought a new chair, and its real leather.

You can also see our soda stream on the desk. I got that on clearance I think for 15 euro or so at rewe.

You also see those little brown doors they go to the kitchen. Hanging on it is some juniper beads and a medicine bag I brought from home. Plus you see the christmas lights and a lantern. We need to take those down or hand them up higher so it looks better. Everyone asks in pictures if that is a crack lol.

We have really been blessed with a lot of hand me downs that have turned our house into a home, I am so grateful.

I will point out more items that were gifts as we tour the rooms. :)

Keep an eye out for new kitchen, hall, outside and entry, and bedroom picks, as well as the story about how we paid it forward. The bedroom one probably will not be posted until I get the baby area all set up, I want to show the finished products :)

How I sort my Recycling & Trash

I recently did a post on the trash and recycling system in German. You got a chance to see how detailed it really is. Therefore I had to find a system that works for my home. Now naturally I could use a container for every variable for the recycling hof, but again there are many I do not need, and it would take my whole living room to have enough bins.

You will need to find the system that works best for you, but here are some ideas based on what I do. You could use these tips anywhere, just alter it to your specific needs.

Containers:

First things first. Lets talk about container options. As you really have a variety of choices. You can always try to use up what you have in yoru home already or find a new purpose for an older object. 

1. Milk style crates, thin crates, these can be found at any hardware store, bauhaus. I saw them just the other day for around 8 euro a pop. Now that price seems high to me, but they do have their pros as well, they stack super nice and you could therefore have one tall stack in a corner. 

2. Bigger plastic tubs or crates. These will cost more anywhere from say around 10 with a lid at Ikea upwards of 20. 

3. They have standing garbage bag holders, these work really well for things that fit well in trash bags. They cost around 8 euro a piece.

4. You can even use cardboard boxes.

5. Recyclable bags

6. Plastic grocers or garbage bags

7. Or you can buy specialty recycling organizers, they come in all forms some color coded, some wood, other plastic, and the prices vary for 20 up. 

Or any combo of the above. I myself use a combination.

Creating a plan:

Start by looking at yoru local recycling system. Consider how things need to be broken down. Also consider the various bins at the recycling center. Obviously you will not need all of them, some you may only need occasionally, some you have so little it is not worth buying a special bin. 

As an example we will use mine. Go down the list and mark what you recycle the most versus the least. Also note if any of these items can be taken to local community bins. I happen to have one just across the way.

1. Clothing and shoes in good condition- not often, and drop off by house

2. Metal cans- often, bin by house

3. Glass- white, brown, and green- often, bin by house

4. Small electronics- not often

5. Wood- not often

6. Aluminum- - often

7. Styrofoam- not often

8. Metal- not often

9. Plastic bottles- - often

10. Plastic containers-  most common

11. Cardboard- often

12. Plastic under size a4- very often

13. Plastic over size a4- not often

14. Wine corks- never

15. Batteries- ocassionally

16. Drink cartons- often

17. Light bulbs- rarely

Looking at that list there are many items I may have once in a while, but do not need on a regular basis so I focus only on those areas. I also group the recycling for the easiest removal, therefore we do not have to sort it all at the recycling center. 

How I sort mine: 

Community centers:

By my house I have a small recycling center with bins which take all colors of glass, cans, as well as newspapers and advertisements. So I keep those separate. 

Since the glass and cans are easy to sort they go into one large oversized reusable heavy plastic shopping bag. Make sure that you rinse out and dry all containers first before placing it in your recycling to avoid any unwanted guests. 

The newspaper then goes in a bag by itself. I use a cloth reusable grocery bag. I also remove our name and address from anything. 

If I do have clothes to donate, I would just put them in a plastic grocery bag. 

This whole section gets taken out once a week, therefore it only requires a small little corner with a few bags. 

Recycling hof:

The items that I recycle with every visit are: aluminum, plastic bottles, plastic containers, cardboard, plastic wrapping under size a4, and drink cartons.

For the items that I only occasionally have I do not set up a system. I will toss them all together into one large plastic reusable bag to sort at the station. If it is small items such as batteries, I would put them in a baggie inside. 

I base my system around the items I recycle most. The 2 items I recycle the most quantity of are plastic wrapping and plastics containers. Both of these get one standing trash can holder, which generally gets filled. I make sure to wash any items that have food residues first. 

Since much of the aluminum packaging has small pieces, such as candy wrappers it gets its own bag. I use a standard grocery bag. 

For cardboard and paper packaging, I have one assembled box that all the small boxes go inside flattened. Any big boxes would just be folded flat against the wall behind. 

That leaves plastic bottles and drink cartons, both of which along with any strangling glass and metal cans, go into one oversized plastic bag since they are easily sorted. Also make sure these are rinsed so that you avoid that nasty old milk smell. 

So In my recycling area that leaves me with:

2 Standing garbage bags of plastic wrapping and containers

1 box for cardboard

1 normal grocery bag of aluminum (generally sits in the top of the cardboard box)

One oversized bag with plastic bottles and drink cartons

One oversized bag for cans and glass

And one small reusable bag for newspapers

Though it does sound quiet a bit labor intensive it has had a major payoff. Before always had a backlog of garbage. We still occasionally do, but it is not a continual problem. 

Trash:

Just a quick bit on the remaining trash. 

All my trash has the packaging removed, washed and placed in recycling, so I am dealing with only the left over biodegradable, or the occasional items that are non recyclable. 

1. I sort what I call ew trash. This is things that stink, leak, go bump in the night. The stuff you want to ensure by no means doesn't make it into the trash. This gets priority.

2. I then have non ew trash, things like paper, crafting, odds and ends, scraps, ect that cannot go to the recycling center, but are nt in a time rush to get out as they are not going to harm anything. I fit these in along the side and top right before trash day. If they do not make it no biggie.

This has been a great help, especially on the weeks when we have a bit more trash, or I have not been the best at recycling. It ensures that we are never left with rotting old apples in the house.

A few more tips to reducing your trash:

1. Never bring your trash home, no no I do not mean dump it somewhere or throw it out the window, though way to many people do that here its very sad. I mean if you eat take out and then go to the gas station, utilize that trash can they have out front. Or throw your paper coffee cup out in the trash cans places throughout the city.

2. Throw out the trash from the car when you clean the car, dont bring it home. We keep a small bag in the car and empty it at the car wash every time we was the car. 

3. Most grocery stores offer in store bins for trash, so you don't have to bring it home. Many even have labeled recycling bins and counters to pack your groceries. This way you can eliminate a lot of the excess packaging. 

4. Reuse what you can, I keep all rubber bands and I rewash and reuse most glass jars with a lid, even some plastic ones with lids. Much cheaper then tupperware and great to have on hand when you find yourself in a pinch. I just run mine through the dishwasher and put a new label on the outside. 

The number one waste in our home is packaging, and 9 times out of 10, it is much much more then is practically needed for the items. 

Well if nothing else I hope you had a good laugh at our crazy garbage system. But I also hope it gave you some ideas. I am not a big environmentally friendly person, in all honesty I started because I had to, though I am happy to make my small difference in the world. And once you get a system in place it is really not all that bad. 

Check out my post on Recycling and trash systems in Germany here

Bathroom tour

In the time I have been here I have never once shared pictures of my bathroom. Perhaps because normally it is the most unorganized room of the house. So 2 years after the fact. Here is my bathroom tour lol. 


I do not open all the drawers and everything, so this will not be like a youtube bathroom tour. This is just to show my friends and family, even readers who were curious. :)

This is looking in from the doorway. The floor and walls are all tile. On the right are the shower and bath. The left the sinks, washer, and toilet. And of course straight ahead the heater and window.

This is from the other side of the room by the window looking at the door. 

The bath and shower

The sinks and washer, which is covered in cleaning supplies at the moment. I am rearranging the hall cupboard. The green thing under the sink is the baby bath. And this is the new washer I got my friend Diane who moved back to the US, looks great don't it. I should have taken a picture of the before as well, oh well.

Washer and toilet. The toilets here are different. We do not have a lever to flush you push the button in the wall. It is also low pressure and there is no water bin. 

And the bathtub. 

This bathroom is one of the few things I actually love about this apartment. One I do not want to let go of lol. Only thing that would make it better was a bit more counter space, and maybe a better cupboard system under the sink. Oh and a cupboard for towels. Then perfection. :P

Since we have pretty much redone every room in the house I will be posting pics from every room. Some are the same, some radically changed.